08 May 2011

The Department of the Navy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) May 2 with the Department of the Army transferring all five of the Army’s Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) to the Navy.

The intent of this MOA is to clarify relationships, identify the roles and responsibilities, and provide an implementation plan. In addition, this MOA formalizes and delineates the management, leadership, and requirements sponsorship roles required to deliver the capability encompassed by the JHSV to the combatant commanders.

“This agreement with the Army demonstrates our commitment to reducing redundancies and saving money for the taxpayer,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “This is a responsible step that will ensure our military remains the most formidable fighting force the world has ever known.”

Initially, the JHSV program was envisioned to have five of the first 10 JHSVs assigned to the Army and the remainder to the Navy. However, at the Army/Navy Warfighter Talks in December 2010, both services agreed to transfer the Army’s five JHSVs upon signing of this MOA; all 10 JHSVs will now be assigned to Navy.

"The transfer of the JHSV is about aligning our core competencies, while at the same time realizing a measure of managerial efficiency,” said Army Secretary John McHugh. “We look forward to continued cooperation with the Navy as we determine how to ensure this capability can best support the combatant commanders.”

The Military Sealift Command will crew the JHSVs with civilian mariners or contract mariners. Joint High Speed Vessels will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.